SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A heartbreaking crash in the San Carlos has left a family and community in mourning after 14-year-old Angelina Cielo Santillan Coronel was killed on Sunday morning in the Lake Murray area. The tragedy has deeply shaken residents as investigators continue to examine how the incident unfolded.
According to the San Diego Police Department, the crash occurred on May 3, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m. in the 7600 block of Navajo Road, near Cowles Mountain Boulevard and Golfcrest Drive. The roadway was closed for several hours as emergency crews responded and processed the scene.
Investigators say a 35-year-old woman was driving a sedan westbound on Navajo Road with three child passengers, including Angelina, a one-year-old child, and an eight-year-old child. Authorities report that the vehicle first struck an 18-year-old pedestrian who was walking on the sidewalk at the time.
After the initial impact, police say the vehicle continued forward, left the roadway, and drove onto the sidewalk before crashing into a tree located in the center median. The sequence of events caused multiple injuries and prompted a large emergency response in the residential area.
Emergency crews arrived at approximately 11:36 a.m. and immediately began providing aid. Despite life-saving efforts, Angelina was pronounced dead at 11:53 a.m. due to the severity of her injuries. Officials confirmed the pedestrian was taken to a hospital with a concussion and a serious arm injury, while the driver suffered a fractured ankle. The two younger children in the vehicle were not injured.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine exactly what caused the crash and whether any charges will be filed. As San Diego mourns the loss of Angelina Santillan Coronel, family and friends are remembering her as a young life taken far too soon, leaving behind deep sorrow across the community.